I have been involved in campaigning for Devizes Maternity Unit since February 2003 and experienced the excellent service the unit provides when I gave birth to my third child, Callum on April 2.

My care throughout my pregnancy and in labour was superb. I had the same midwife for my antenatal care as I had had for my second child and it was this same midwife who delivered both Tess (born Dec 2001) and Callum. This is continuity of care at its utmost.

This turned out to be more important than we had envisaged. I was carrying a bigger baby than in my previous pregnancies. My midwife managed my labour offering advice and options at each stage. The birth was also complicated but this was dealt with with professionalism by the midwives and auxiliary.

Because of my relationship with my midwife we were able to discuss the birth and understand what had happened, enabling me to plan my postnatal recovery. I spent two nights in the unit but was able to phone the unit from home to discuss breastfeeding.

My experience goes to show the benefits of offering antenatal, birthing facilities and postnatal experiences under one roof. Because my care was in one place so were all my notes. This cut down on midwife time and enabled the midwives to be more efficient.

I then choose to be transferred for my postnatal care to Swindon community midwives as I live in this area. The care I received was great with excellent support from an overstretched midwifery service.

I also attended Great Western Hospital for part of my outpatient postnatal care. I feel I am an example of midwife services working well with resources being assigned appropriately.

Kennet and North Wiltshire PCT should be proud of this service and it should be the last thing on your mind to attempt to dismantle it.

Devizes Maternity Unit was full when I was there and women and their babies were being well cared for.

I am glad to see that the consultation period has been extended again. A victory for all campaigners and a sign that maternity services requires detailed consideration.

I urge all board members when making their decisions to think how good the service is. Smaller units being accessed for low-risk women and larger hospitals being used for appropriate cases. Pregnant women are not ill. We require a service that is flexible, accessible and reliable.

Eleanor Christmas

NCT member

Marlborough and District